When you are looking for a third-party solution to expand the feature set of your software, an SDK is an appealing option, since it provides developers with all the tools they need. You will probably have to choose among similar offers from different vendors. The quality of the SDK itself is vital for the buying decision. But other factors also have a profound impact on the success of your project. Here are five things you should consider when deciding which SDK to buy.
1. Developer-friendliness
An SDK is not a stand-alone application. To work, it has to be properly integrated into your existing app. Therefore, it should come with everything your development team needs for a successful integration. The SDK’s documentation should be extensive, well-structured, and consider various different tech stacks. In particular, this includes frameworks for native, hybrid, and cross-platform development.
A responsive support team that you can turn to when problems arise is also essential. Instead of having to submit tickets and waiting days for an answer, you should be able to contact the SDK’s development team directly. This helps you get your problem solved fast.
2. Transparent, scalable pricing
How much will the SDK cost you every year? While the question is a natural one, straight answers are rare. You may know the price of using the SDK during the first year, but what about the next one? Or five years from now?
If the SDK’s vendor uses a volume-based pricing model, your business growth will automatically drive up your cost. Some extra costs may become more important in the future, such as update fees. If possible, look for an SDK with a fixed price model. This gives you complete control over the solution’s actual costs.
3. Paying only for the features you need
Another aspect to consider is whether you actually need all the features you are paying for. Does the SDK’s vendor offer different software packages to suit your company’s needs? Or does it employ a one-size-fits-all approach with little flexibility? Finding a solution that matches your use case can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Before you decide on a software package, you should also consider how easy it is to switch between packages and what this will cost you. The SDK’s pricing model should adapt to your needs, not become a hurdle to growth.
4. Effortless proof-of-concept phase
You should get to try out a software solution before committing to it. After all, actually using it often raises new questions. Ideally, the trial phase and a potential proof-of-concept are smoothly integrated into the buying process. This gives you enough time to get a meaningful impression of the SDK.
When trying to decide on the right solution for your use case, the last thing you need is a mountain of paperwork standing in the way of the proof-of-concept phase. You should only have to discuss contractual details with your vendor after the final decision has been made.
5. Data security
An often overlooked but crucial factor in your buying decision is the security of user data. Does the SDK communicate with a third-party server? If so, why? Can you prevent it if you want to?
As soon as data leaves a device and is transmitted to a third-party server, you can no longer ensure its safety. Ideally, an SDK does its work solely on the user’s device. It should be able to operate entirely offline, without requiring an internet connection. This ensures maximum data security.
Integrating the Scanbot SDK into your mobile or web application
Scanbot SDK provides a state-of-the-art scanning solution that just works.
With our easy-to-integrate Barcode Scanner SDK, Document Scanner SDK, and Data Capture SDK for mobile and web applications, you can replace manual data entry with automatic data capture.
To ensure you only pay for the features you actually use, there are four different software packages to choose from. In our fixed price model, each of them comes with unlimited scans. This allows the Scanbot SDK to scale with your company’s success without additional costs.
All our software development kits are well-documented to ensure rapid integration, making them the perfect choice for time-critical projects. Our developers will help you along the way to make sure you never feel left alone with a problem.
If you want to try out our SDKs, we offer a free trial license, without any upfront paperwork.
Scanbot SDK is your one-stop solution for all your scanning needs. It is fast, accurate, and operates entirely offline, never connecting to any third-party servers. This makes it a resilient and secure tool for mobile data capture. Its sleek and simple-to-use interface ensures that users feel right at home the first time they use it.
If you are convinced that the Scanbot SDK is the right choice for your use case, you can count on us as your trusted partner to deliver reliable results and a high-quality user experience. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our solution experts so that we can find the best approach for your individual use case.